The Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice at UTA provides students with an academically rigorous education and prepares them for leadership positions in private, state, or federal agencies; in addition, the department also prepares students for advanced graduate level degrees and careers in non-traditional fields. The department offers two graduate degree programs. The first is an on-campus program that includes a comprehensive examination of crime and the criminal justice system with a foundation in research and statistics. The program is designed for pre-professional students, criminal justice professionals, and students who wish to pursue further relevant postgraduate studies. The 36-hour program offers both thesis and non-thesis options. With the approval of the Graduate Programs Director Advisor, students may use their elective hours to concentrate on a particular field of study.